SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Drury volleyball head coach Kelly Richardson has finalized the Panthers' 2026 signing class, which includes three transfers and five prep standouts who will join the DU program in August.

Entering her debut season as Drury's head coach, Richardson and the Panthers will welcome freshmen Bella Asante (Camdenton, Mo.), Lucy Hafer (West Plains, Mo.), Gwen Kubik (Nixa, Mo.), Falon Stroup (Liberty Hill, Texas) and Taylor Wood (Nixa, Mo.), as well as sophomore transfer Isy Purrington (Eagan, Minn.) and junior transfers Reagan Baade (Springfield, Mo.) and Sydney Walker (Decatur, Ill.).
 
"We couldn't be more excited about this incoming class," Richardson stated. "Our returners have set a solid tone and expectations for the work ethic and culture that is expected within our program, and every single player in this class compliments that mentality. We look forward to having everyone on the court together and getting to work in August."

Bella Asante
S | 5-10 | Fr. | Camdenton, Mo. | Camdenton HS

• Asante joins the Panthers after completing a standout prep career at Camdenton (Mo.) High School, where she was a four-time all-conference and all-district performer.
• Earned Missouri Class 4 All-State recognition, as well as Central Missouri Athletic Conference (CMAC) Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2025.
• Picked up her fourth consecutive Academic All-State nod in 2025 and was named to the AVCA's All-America watch list.
• Also starred in track and field for the Lakers, capturing the CMAC title in the triple jump as a senior.
• Selected as a finalist for the 2025-26 Springfield Sports Commission Award for volleyball.

Richardson on Asante:
"Bella is a true setter, and leader on the floor. She is the definition of a culture kid and understands the importance of rallying those around her in an inspiring way. Her ability to pair her athleticism along with her ball location will make a big impact on our program. Her attitude and drive are contagious, and we are so happy she chose Drury volleyball to continue her athletic career." 
 
Reagan Baade
DS/L | 5-8 | Jr. | Springfield, Mo. | Missouri State | Ozark HS

• Baade joins the Drury program as a junior transfer for the 2026 season after competing two years for cross-town Missouri State.
• Appeared in 29 matches during her MSU career and was named to the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll in both 2024-25 and 2025-26.
• Earned AVCA All-America honors as senior at Ozark (Mo.) High School after racking up 346 kills, 274 digs, 20 blocks and 37 aces for the Tigers.
• Helped lead the Tigers to a 29-6 record and Central Ozark Conference championship as a senior.
• Earned Missouri Class 5 All-State recognition as a junior and senior, as well as Academic All-State recognition in each of her final three prep seasons.
• Notched a pair of first-team All-COC honors and three Class 5 All-District citations and received AVCA All-Region recognition in 2023 as well.

Richardson on Baade:
"Reagan brings a wealth of defensive experience to our floor this fall. She has spent two years training at a high level collegiately and also comes from a local powerhouse high school where she competed offensively as a six-rotation outside hitter. Her attack mentality in a defensive role brings another level of maturity to our defense this fall. We are excited to welcome Reagan to our Panther family."
 
Lucy Hafer
S/DS | 5-7 | Fr. | West Plains, Mo. | West Plains HS

• A multi-sport standout for West Plains (Mo.) High School, Hafer will also compete on the hardwood for the Drury Lady Panthers.
• Turned in a record-setting prep career for West Plains, where she was a three-time all-conference and all-district performer for the Zizzers.
• Holds WPHS career (2,672), season (1,080) and match (50) records for assists.
• Was a four-time Academic All-State selection, as well as a Missouri Class 4 All-State honoree as a senior, when she helped the Zizzers to a 2025 Class 4 district title.
• Named a finalist for Springfield Sports Commission's volleyball player of the year honor in 2025-26.

Richardson on Hafer:
"Lucy is another player who is able to play various roles and brings a wealth of experience to our floor. She is a strong defensive player, with setting experience as well, and has a very high volleyball IQ. Her ability to read and think ahead of the play will be a huge advantage for our program. We are so excited that Lucy will be joining our Drury family this fall." 
 
Gwen Kubik
OH | 6-1 | Fr. | Nixa, Mo. | Nixa HS

• Kubik joins the Panthers following a standout prep careeer at nearby Nixa (Mo.) High School.
• Led the Eagles to conference and district titles as a senior, as well as a third-place Missouri Class 5 finish as part of a 29-10 senior campaign.
• Earned all-conference, all-district and Class 5 All-State honors during her career as an Eagle.
• Selected as a finalist for the 2025-26 Springfield Sports Commission Award for volleyball.

Richardson on Kubik:
"Gwen is an explosive outside hitter, who will bring size and power to our front row this season. Her ability to impact the floor both offensively and defensively will be a huge asset for our program this fall. She brings high-level playing experience to our program and has been a part of an extremely successful local high school program. We are so excited that she has chosen Drury as her home."
 
Isy Purrington
OH | 6-0 | So. | Eagan, Minn. | MSU Denver | Eagan HS

• Purrington comes to Springfield as a sophomore transfer after playing her freshman season for the 2026 NCAA D-II national champion Metropolitan State University of Denver.
• Saw action in four contests as a freshman for the Roadrunners as part of a club that finished 32-3 and won its last 23 matches of the year en route to the national title.
• Was a four-year varsity performer for Eagan (Minn.) High School, where she led her team to a state tournament appearance with a club-best 336 kills.
• Served as a two-year team captain for Eagan and competed in track and field as well, earning Minnesota All-State honors as a sophomore.

Richardson on Purrington:
"Isy brings experience on both pins and can take a big swing from either position. She is long and will be able to make an impact both offensively and defensively at the net. Her time with a national championship team this past year, as well as playing with a club powerhouse in high school, will bring another level of maturity to our floor. We couldn't be more excited that Isy chose to make Drury her home. ."
 
Falon Stroup
MB | 6-1 | Fr. | Liberty Hill, Texas | Liberty Hill HS

• Stroup joins the Panthers after turning in a noteworthy career as a multi-sport standout in volleyball and basketball for Liberty Hill (Texas) High School.
• Led her club to regional semifinal appearances in 2024 and 2025.
• Named to all-district teams as both a junior and senior for the Panthers, logging the second-highest hitting percentage in her district in 2025.
• Picked up Academic All-State recognition in both volleyball and basketball in 2025-26.
• Also earned a pair of all-district nods on the hardwood for Liberty Hill, helping the Panthers to a state finals berth in 2025.

Richardson on Stroup:
"We first saw Falon this spring at USAV Nationals, and her competitiveness and explosiveness caught our attention immediately. She is a true middle who works hard to transition and be an offensive option every time. Her energy and drive are contagious and will be a huge addition to our middle position this fall. We are so happy she has chosen to continue her career at Drury.."

Sydney Walker
OH | 5-8 | Jr. | Decatur, Ill. | Lake Land College | Decatur HS

• Walker joins the Drury program as a junior transfer after competing for Lake Land College her first two colleigate seasons.
• Was a two-time all-conference performer at Lake Land, as well as an All-Region XXIV pick in 2025.
• Helped lead the Lakers to a 21-12 season mark and region title, averaging 3.35 kills/set, as a sophomore.
• Prior to her time at Lake Land, Walker concluded a standout prep career at Eisenhower High School in Decatur, Ill. 

Richardson on Walker:
"Sydney brings so much competitive fire to our outside position this fall. She has the ability to move the ball around with a great shot selection, and power through the ball when needed as well. She works hard in transition every single time and is such an explosive player. She is a true six-rotation threat and will help bring more experience to our front and back court. We are thrilled that Sydney will be joining our program this fall."
 
Taylor Wood
RS/OH | 5-10 | Fr. | Nixa, Mo. | Nixa HS

• Another product of local prep power Nixa High School, Wood joins the Drury program after helping the Eagles to a third-place Missouri Class 5 finish last fall.
• Earned Class 5 All-State honors, as well as her third consecutive all-district nod, as a senior in 2025. 
• Named to All-COC teams as a junior and senior, as well as AVCA All-America honorable mention recognition in 2025.
• Logged four triple-doubles for the Eagles, completing her prep career with 670 kills, 951 assists and 128 aces.
• Also competed in soccer and basketball for Nixa.

Richardson on Wood:
"Taylor is a true jack of all trades. She has the ability to swing on either pin, impact the floor defensively, and also helped lead her high school team to a State Final Four appearance in a setting role. She helps make our floor more versatile in many different areas and brings an exciting competitive edge as well. We are thrilled to have Taylor as a Panther."
 
Coming off a 17-13 season in 2025, Drury will open the 2026 season Aug. 28, when it takes on Minot State to kick off the Drury Invitational.
 
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